14/11/2013 BBC London News

Tonight on BBC London: Calls for an urgent review of cycle superhighways

after yet another death brings the total to five cyclists in just nine

days. I saw him on his bicycle and his belongings in the street

scattered around and it looked like it was quite serious. We will be

asking London's Cycling Commissioner whether it is safe to ride your

bicycle in the capital. Also tonight, a gang of online fraudsters

jailed for stealing money from online bank accounts. The Lord with

royal connections who is asserting his ancestral rights over

householders in Hertfordshire. And we will be talking to Lily Allen as

she flies high over London. Good evening. The former Transport

Secretary, Lord Adonis, has called for an independent review into cycle

superhighways after another cyclist died this morning. The man collided

with a double`decker bus in Aldgate and it brings the number of

cyclists' deaths on London's roads to five in just nine days. I will be

questioning the Cycling Commissioner in a moment.

This is the latest death in a spate of killings on our roads. Aldgate

East at midnight last night and what remains of the bicycle involved.

East at midnight last night and what remains of the bicycle involved All

remains of the bicycle involved. All the fatalities involved collisions

with large vehicles and last night was no different. This is the second

cyclist who has been killed in under 24 hours on the cycling

superhighway. At 11:30pm the cyclist was here at this junction when he

was in a collision with a bus. He was treated at the scene but later

died in hospital. Anthony Hill was walking near by and saw the

aftermath. I saw the wreck of the bicycle and it looked quite a mess

and there were some of the guy's belongings scattered on the

streets. It looked quite serious, but I thought he might be able to

walk away from it, but I found out this morning he died and it is

upsetting. This is the second cyclist to die here in a year. We do

not know if anyone was to blame for this latest death. But it is easy to

see why it is so dangerous here. Not see why it is so dangerous here Not

just because motorists ignore the cycle highway, but because they

flout the law sometimes at their own expense. There is a sense of

something needing to be done. People have no care for other road users

and often buses are driven like taxis. That is the nature of cycling

in London. It is not like cycling in a park. The council have joined in

the debate calling for all HGVs to be banned. We need to be doing

something about it and a cycle save our banning HGVs in the morning and

the evening is one way to make cyclists safer. The Mayor says he is

improving safety for cyclists. In 2007 there were 15 deaths. Four

years later there was one more death, but there were many more

cyclists on the roads, 500,000. He says we need to take more

responsibility ourselves. No traffic engineer in the world can budget for

cyclists or motorists who do things that are unpredictable and risky. I

urge everybody on our roads to take care and to think of other road

users and to think of themselves when they are making these

split`second decisions. And tonight if a reminder was needed of the cost

of these accidents, the first photograph was released of the women

cycling in Bow on Wednesday. She was 24 and the 12th cyclist killed this

year. The London Cycling Commissioner,

Andrew Gilligan, joins beef from Westminster. A terrible nine days

for cyclists. Now you are under pressure from politicians, cycling

groups and drivers to think about London's cycling superhighways. Will

you do that? We have already had the review and we announced all the

existing superhighways will be substantially upgraded, starting

with the one where the deaths have occurred recently. They will be

fully segregated and semi`segregated lanes on the entire length of the

superhighway, so cyclists will be segregated from traffic. There will

be a concrete curb at the Aldgate and and there will be

semi`segregation. Somewhere in some places we cannot do. Credit. All the

superhighways will get substantially upgraded. What about the suggestion

that HGVs should be banned during peak hours in London to keep

cyclists say? That is something we are studying already. We started

that study and I can see pros and cons to that. If lorries were banned

from coming in in the morning rush hour, they might come in during the

night and wake people up. That might not be popular. But equally the

lorries, although they comprise a small proportion of the traffic

they account for a large proportion of deaths of cyclists. We are

looking to penalise any lorry that comes into London without safety

equipment. When we are looking at the cycling policy by the Mayor,

this massive push since he was elected, do you think the scheme has

been a victim of its success? Too many people have taken to the roads

on their bicycles in London. The infrastructure has got to catch up

with the number of cyclists using it. That is why we announced two new

superhighways, fully segregated, across central London. That is why

we are doing backstreet routes for less confident cyclists. We are

doing dozens of new junctions. This is one of our topmost priority is.

The top people in the Mayor's office are working on it. As things stand

at the moment, would you be happy for your family to ride around

London? I wrote to this interview on my bicycle and I am going to write

home. Cycling in London is safe. We need to dramatically reduce cycling

fatalities. There are 110 million journeys in 2002. The rate of deaths

has halved in the last ten years. This terrible tragedy has obscured

that, that that is the good news this news should not obscure. There

is more to come tonight including, the Police Commissioner who would

like to see his Surrey force merge with a neighbouring county.

A gang of fraudsters has been jailed for more than 28 years for posting

fake online adverts to work in Harrods and other stories before

sending a computer virus to applicants which copied their bank

details. The gang, all from south`east London, still thousands

of pounds at a time, with the scam only coming to light when applicants

complained directly to Harrods. It was a case that involved hundreds

of thousands of pounds, fraudulently taken from innocent people. Tonight

the gang are behind bars. We are pleased with the sentence given out

today. This organised crime network preyed on people seeking employment.

This is how they did it. They would post fake adverts on gumtree. When

somebody applied for a job they would receive an e`mail with an

application pack. That would install software on their computer and

included every single keystroke they made. When they later went to log

onto their online banking it would steal their bank details. This man

was a central player and was sentenced to 11 years. The sentences

ranged from 11 to two years. This woman had worked in Santander and

have access to account details for the gang. She was given a sentence

of 12 months. One victim had more than ?20,000 stolen. The bank turned

round and said they thought we were responsible. I was worried whether

the mortgage would be covered. The judge described the case as a

prolific, online bank fraud and was an organised, planned and

sophisticated crime. Today's case shows fraudsters are finding new

ways to steal cash, but the punishment is still firm.

A man who was detained under the mental health act has died in

hospital after his condition deteriorated at a police station.

30`year`old Terry Smith was taken to Saint Peter's Hospital in Chertsey

after being held at Staines police station. The IP CC is

investigating. The site of a former gasworks in South Pole is to be

turned into a new neighbourhood. Developers are promising a new

cinema and hotel on the side as well as 1000 new jobs for local people.

The first homes will be ready in six years' time. There is a lot of

commentary about Southall and the only way to understand it is to go

and see it yourself. It is a vibrant community and it is good for the

community. Hundreds of people living in Hertfordshire have received

letters from the Marquess of Salisbury asserting his ancestral

rights to extract minerals from under their homes. Not surprisingly

the letters have not gone down very well with Les didn't `` residents,

who have launched what they call a peasants revolt on Facebook. She may

not look like a peasant, but that is what Kim Thomas feels like after

being told there is a Lord of the Manor here in Welwyn Garden City and

he has rights over her land. Hunting, shooting and fishing rights

and rights to mine on the ground. He could come and fish in your pond?

Yes, he could do. The row began after 300 people in Welwyn Garden

City received letters from the land Registry saying the Marquess of

Salisbury had registered his manorial rights following a change

in the law. Angry and worried him and 100 others have now launched a

peasants' revolt group. One of the local residents was remortgaging his

house and that application was turned down because of these rights

and he can no longer have it. He is extremely worried. Anybody trying to

sell their house is worried as well. Lord Salisbury is one of hundreds of

lords across the country who have written to about 80,000 people

asserting their rights over their land. This is Hatfield house and has

been the ancestral home for the Marquess of Salisbury for more than

400 years. His estate is said to be worth about ?300 million. He does

not want to be interviewed about his manorial rights, but solicitors say

homeowners have got nothing to worry about. They insist all he is doing

is trying to preserve his historical rights. The peasants' revolt group

want him to give up his controversial rights as another Lord

of the Manor has done in Bristol. They are also take `` threatening to

take their fight to court. Scotland Yard could privatise

services worth up to ?500 million a year, including finance, human

resources and catering, in a bid to maintain the number of officers on

our streets. The change could affect up to a third of the Met's civilian

staff. Our home affairs correspondent Guy Smith has been

looking at the figures. He's at Scotland Yard now. Guy.

Next year, the Metropolitan Police will be considering whether to put

out a competitive tender, ?500 million of come `` services. There

is nothing new about this. They already out source services like IT

and transport. So why is this important? 4000 employees could be

affected. They will have a chance to compete for these tenders but some

may lose their job. The Metropolitan Police is keen to stress front`line

roles will not be affected but kept in`house, like emergency response,

investigation of crime, patrolling. A lot of people could be affected by

these changes, why is it necessary? Like many public services, the

Metropolitan Police faces budget cuts, half ?1 billion. It is selling

200 buildings including its headquarters at Scotland Yard,

moving to smaller premises on the Embankment. But keeping its promise

it will maintain the same number of police constables on the beat,

25,000. But this outsourcing idea, senior management at Scotland yard

are saying this is not just about cost cutting but driving up

performance and getting better value for money.

Outside London, in the Home Counties, it's a year since the

first wave of Police and Crime Commissioners were elected,

admittedly, with not much enthusiasm, after a low voter

turnout. Regardless, the government has made it clear that the post is

here to stay. So, what impact has been made in the past 12 months? Our

political editor Tim Donovan has been to Surrey to find out, where an

ex`Metropolitan police officer is at the helm.

Do you think young people are unfairly judged? The questions come

thick and fast and he is happy to field them. I was out on the street,

I was stopped and searched by the police. Here I am now as a

politician. He was elected last year as an independent, a former police

officer standing on a platform of zero tolerance. He says his biggest

achievement so far has been building consensus that that approach among

the local councils. We intend to have council enforcement officers

working alongside the police, dealing with the neighbours from

hell, anti`social fly tippers, people cycling on the pavement,

people throwing rubbish. In Guildford, we found public

appreciation of his work so far less apparent. I probably voted for him

but I don't know his name or face. I haven't heard any more of him. Do

you know what they do? They have been in place for a year, is there a

change in policing? To be honest, they are always missing, the

police. You know there is a Police and Crime Commissioner. Has made a

difference? None, I can't see any difference. When I read the papers,

I can't see what he has done. What was the point? Meetings are on the

web so he can be seen holding the Chief Constable to account.

Intriguingly she used to be his boss at the Metropolitan Police.

Is it a problem you are holding to account and office are far more

senior than you? Not at all, I am an independent politician and I say,

this is what the public wants you to do, please do them. Isn't there a

credibility issue? Not for me. I actually, on the half of the public,

I say these are the priorities for the public, you are the Chief

Constable, please do them. As to what the police themselves think

about this arrangement, it is difficult to establish but we had a

go. We are filming about the Police and Crime Commissioner, has made a

difference to policing? I won't talk about anything myself. My residents

pay more tax than anyone else in the country and we get the smallest

policing grant. He says he is lobbying hard to get his force a

better deal. Critics say he didn't start soon enough. We have been

talking about this for four years in Surrey. It should have been a major

plank in any election campaign and should have started instantly after

the election. Sorry already collaborates closely with Sussex

Police, they have a joint murder investigation team. My view is I

would merge the two police forces immediately. We would save ?20

million which is 500 extra police officers. Part champion, part

critic, the role is taking shape but, in time, more people will

surely come to know who he is, and what he does.

Still to come before 7pm: the London Eye plays host to 30 capsules music

parties. Lily Allen Bob perform live and we

catch up with her, ahead of her performance.

A 15`year`old girl who went missing while being treated for depression

has been found safe and well. Ella Hysom hadn't been seen since Monday,

close to where she'd been receiving treatment in east London. Yesterday,

her parents appealed for her return. One of the first UK planes carrying

emergency equipment to support the aid effort in the Philippines has

left Stansted Airport. The cargo is destined for areas devastated by

last week's typhoon. The supplies will allow the British Red Cross

team to set up an aid distribution centre.

We know how many of you generously give money on Children In Need

night, but it's easy to underestimate just how much of a

difference your money makes to young people's lives. Young people like

the ones who go to the Whatever Theatre Project in Woolwich. The

charity helps to support vulnerable children, and develop their

confidence. Sonja Jessup went to take a look at the work being done,

and meet the young people being helped.

To hear Elisabeth saying, you might be surprised that just a couple of

years ago, she struggled even to speak. I was extremely shy and

couldn't talk to anyone. When she first came here to the whatever

youth Theatre Project, she had been badly bullied. Slowly, she began to

make friends. Everyone is different here. You don't have to be ashamed

of anything, be scared of telling people anything, because they will

accept you for it. The group was created with children

in need money, for vulnerable young people. Some have been bullied, have

behavioural difficulties or a mental health problem. They are referred

here as part of their support. Drama gets people working in small groups

where they have two interact. It gives them a chance to practise

skills of talking, listening, being with others.

I first started coming here because I had anger issues. I was sent here

for a year. It lets me get rid of everything, to talk, calm myself

down. I was a bit nervous at first because

I didn't know who any of these people were. I actually started

enjoying it. It helps me boost my skills, learning techniques with

drama. The children in need funding includes a therapist giving extra

support. They are so shy when they come in

that to say their name in the group is a struggle. Over the weeks, you

begin to see them interact, make friends, come out of themselves. It

has changed me a lot, from a person who can't talk or stand up for

myself, to being the person that everyone else goes to, to help them.

And, with money from Children In Need, they hope to take the theatre

to more young people. Tomorrow is, of course, Children In

Need night, and we'll have the chance to thank fundraisers who

raise money for projects like the Whatever Theatre Project in

Woolwich, during our live Children In Need coverage from the Tower of

London, from 7pm. If you want to be there, come and join us. You can get

tickets from the Tower of London Ice Rink box office. Tickets cost ? 0,

Rink box office. Tickets cost ?10, with at least ?7.50 going to

Children in Need. London is arguably one of the best

places in the world for nightlife and, tonight, many of the capital's

nightclubs are taking to the skies. Every pod on the London Eye has a DJ

from a well`known club, and they'll be spinning their tunes for charity.

Our entertainment correspondent Brenda Emmanus is there for us now.

Yes, the London eye usually hosts 3.5 million people every year, with

events from weddings, charity events. Tonight it plays host to 30

capsules music parties hosted by the biggest names in dance. It's called

the red Bull revolutions in love. It features DJs playing 90 minutes in

these pods to an invited audience. Lily Allen has come out of her

publicised retirement to perform live on one of those pods, with Mark

Ronson. We asked how she felt about her time away from music.

I think it was constructive. I've got two babies, I spent most of my

time with them. But, yes, additionally have a slightly

different outlook on life. The music, how would you describe what

you are delivering now, how has it changed? It hasn't really. It is

social commentary, with a wink and cheeky lyrics.

I am assuming clubbing is not on your list of priorities, but in your

music life, how are you coping? To plan anything would be presumptuous

that the public will buy into it and it will be a success. I am seeing

what happens and taking each day as it comes. But happy? Very happy.

All 30 parties will be streamed live online across the world, and a host

of after parties have been organised to ensure nocturnal activities

continued long after these pods stop turning, to accommodate those

dancing feet. You know what, I'm going to join them, just to keep

warm! Let's check on the weather, with

Peter. Above us, we have clear skies. Later

on, that wind will fall light, and eventually temperatures will tumble.

The air temperatures will stay just above freezing. But grass tinctures,

they will fall below zero. So, you will see frost on the grass, you

might have two scrape your windscreen in the morning. The other

thing to watch out for our fog patches particularly in rural

areas. The roads and pavements will be dry. The fog will be slow to

clear away, then, another sunny day for all of us. Temperatures similar

to today but with lighter winds If to today but with lighter winds If

you are heading to the Tower of London tomorrow evening, you will

want to wrap up warmly because it will be even colder than this

evening. You will definitely need warm clothes. By Saturday morning,

along with a widespread frost, we can also expect some fog. The

forecast is for the day to Brighton on Saturday. Sunday could turn out

to be a cloudy day with the odd drop of rain. Yes, the rumours are true,

it could get cold enough for snow next week, perhaps a dusting over

the hills. We will keep you posted. The short`term outlook is grey

rather than white. Join us again during the ten o'clock

News on BBC One. We hope you have a very good evening, goodbye.